Welcome!

I am an Atlanta native and made the decision in 2007 to leave my job as an architect/urban planner to get my real estate license. This was a difficult decision but has been great since my very first day in my new career and I am really enjoying it! It is so rewarding helping people find that perfect home, and it allows me to continue to satiate my love of good architecture and great neighborhoods!

I attended Georgia Tech (GO JACKETS!!!!) which is where I met my husband. For almost a decade we lived in one of Atlanta's fabulous in-town neighborhoods in a great 1920's Craftsman bungalow with our two dogs and two cats. Following the birth of our first child, we bought a foreclosure in the west Buckhead area and fully renovated it using an FHA 203k loan, which was a fun and sometimes daunting process. And just prior to the birth of our second child, we purchased and renovated a home in downtown Historic Roswell, completing our personal tour of some of Atlanta's best neighborhoods to live in!

I decided to create this blog in order to share useful information and resources about the real estate market and home buying process, as well as hopefully bring some humor and levity to what is often a complex and intimidating process. Enjoy!!!

Monday, January 25, 2016

Been thinking of selling? Now is the time!


If you have considered selling in 2016, NOW is the time! With inventory levels at their lowest mark in over 10 years, listing your home for sale before the busy spring buying season will give you the most exposure to buyers and allow you to get the best price for your home.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just released their latest Existing Home Sales Report on Friday. Read more HERE. Contact me today to get a FREE Comparative Market Analysis of your home and decide if it makes sense to list!
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Sunday, January 24, 2016

I am absolutely THRILLED to learn that I have been awarded Kudzu's "Best of Atlanta" award for the third straight year! My business is built on personal referrals, and it means so much to me that my clients took the time to recognize me with this honor.  

I know you have a choice of which real estate professional to work with, and I am so happy you chose me!


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Homestead Exemption 2016


FILING FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IN 2016

If you bought a home in 2015 and it is your primary residence, you should file for Homestead Exemption! Homeowners may need to provide their Warranty Deed book and page, proof of residence, social security numbers, driver’s license and car tag info. In most counties, to be eligible for the current year, you must have owned and occupied the property as of January 1st.  If the property is located within city limits, the homeowner may be required to file with the city as well.

Gwinnett County – deadline is April 1, 2016            770-822-8800
http://gwinnetttaxcommissioner.publicaccessnow.com/homesteadexemption.aspx

Fulton County – deadline is April 1, 2016                 404-612-6440
http://www.qpublic.net/ga/fulton/basic_homestead.html

DeKalb County – deadline is April 1, 2016               404-298-4000
http://taxcommissioner.dekalbcountyga.gov/TaxCommissioner/pdf/homesteadinfo.pdf

Cobb County – deadline is April 1, 2016                   770-528-8600
http://www.cobbtax.org/property/exemptions

Clayton County - deadline is April 1, 2016             770-477-3311
http://www.claytoncountyga.gov/departments/tax-commissioner/exemptions.aspx

Cherokee County – deadline is April 1, 2016            678-493-6120
http://www.cherokeega.com/Tax-Assessors-Office/homestead-exemptions/

Henry County – deadline is April 1, 2016                 770-288-8180                 
http://www.co.henry.ga.us/taxcommissioner/formsapplicatons.shtml

Forsyth County – deadline is April 1, 2016               770-781-2106
 
http://www.forsythco.com/Departments-Offices/Board-of-Assessors/Homestead-Exemption
                                                          
Douglas County – deadline is April 1, 2016              770-920-7272
http://www.douglastaxcommissioner.com

Fayette County – deadline is April 1, 2016              770-461-3652
http://www.fayettecountytaxcomm.com/subpages/taxpayers_return.asp

Paulding County – deadline is April 1, 2016            770-443-7606
http://www.paulding.gov/index.aspx?NID=89
Read more!

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Lending regulations for condos


Thinking about buying (or selling) a condo in 2016? Here are some guidelines to determine if you will be able to secure financing (Fannie/Freddie only, for FHA the entire complex must be FHA approved) compliments of one my favorite lenders, The Moore Team.


1.  We will need a completed condo questionnaire from the HOA or management company VERY soon after going under contract. Please be sure we have a contact for that. This usually takes 2-3 weeks to get back from when we order!
2.  The project must be Established. This means 90% of the units are sold to individual purchasers, the project is 100% completed and is not subject to additional expansion or phases & control of the HOA has been turned over to unit owners.
3.  There is no current litigation in which the HOA or developer is named as a party to the litigation. (This would not include instances where the HOA or developer is solely the plaintiff in a foreclosure or for delinquent HOA dues)
4.  The project is not an “ineligible” type for conventional financing. (I.E. condo hotels, 
timeshares, houseboat, multi-family dwelling unit, legal (but non-conforming) use of land, common interest apartment or community apartment project)
5.  Commercial (non-residential) space cannot be greater than 25% of the project.
6.  At least 51% of the total units must be already sold and closed as primary residences or second homes. Foreclosure units that are currently for sale can be counted as owner occupied primary residences.
7.  No more than 15% of the unit owners are currently more than 30 days delinquent on their HOA dues.
8.  No single entity owns more than 10% of the total units in the project.
9.  HOA budget must have a line item for “replacement reserves” that equals no less than 10% of the total budget. (It is nearly impossible to approve a complex that does not have this!)
10. There are no restrictions which would limit the free transferability of title such as right of first refusal, other deed/income restrictions.
11. Having proper insurance coverage to meet Fannie/Freddie Guidelines

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